UNESCO adds Slovak wooden churches to the World Heritage List

By Our Own Correspondent

July 9, 2008

Visitors to Slovakia should be aware that Slovakia now has seven sites listed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) on its list of World Heritage Sites. There are 878 sites around the world which UNESCO feels are worthy of universal interest. These sites fall under the guidance of the 1972 Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage which is intended to protect the sites from wanton development or destruction so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

The most recent Slovakian additions, in July 2008, to the list are 8 wooden churches in the Slovak area of the Carpathian mountains. These churches, 2 Roman Catholic, 3 Protestant and 3 Greek Orthodox, were built between the 16th and 18th centuries.

The other Slovak sites are:

• Banská Štiavnica and associated monuments. Historic town near Banská Bystrica.
• Spišský Hrad. Near Levoca. This is a marvellous example of a 13th to 14th Century castle.
• Vlkolínec, near Ruzomberok, Zilina. Wonderfully intact example of an old mountain village.
• Caves near Rožnava and Špišská Nová Ves.
• Bardejov, near Prešov. This is a well-preserved example of a medieval fortified trading town.
• Primeval Beech Forests in the Carpathian mountains. These forests cross the border with Ukraine.

If you are in Slovakia, visiting or working or living there, then you must make an effort to see these sites.

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